Newly Approved Sewer Plans Will Allow More Growth in CK, SK

By Christopher Dunagan
Monday, March 10, 2008

Kitsap County commissioners revised the county's comprehensive plan Monday night, hoping that their actions will allow urban-growth expansions to move forward.

The expansions were approved in 2006 for Silverdale, Port Orchard, Gorst, West Bremerton and Central Kitsap. They were later invalidated by the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board, which ruled that the county needs to provide sewers throughout the urban-growth areas.

"I get frustrated dealing with this, because I know that for folks who invest in property, the certainty issue is important, and it is something that we take very seriously," said County Commissioner Josh Brown.

As part of their action Monday night, the commissioners approved sewer plans for Gorst, West Bremerton and areas along Navy Yard Highway, which are to be served by the Bremerton Sewage Treatment Plant. They also approved sewer plans for Silverdale and Central Kitsap, and for Port Orchard and South Kitsap. The sewer plans are designed to comply with the ruling from the hearings board.

Eric Baker, special projects manager for the county, said he believes the documents come close to Kingston's sewer plan, which has been approved by the hearings board.

On Monday night, about a dozen people testified on the sewer plans, the comprehensive plan and the extension of a building moratorium. They included frustrated land owners, builders and developers who have been stymied in their construction plans since the hearings board ruling last summer.

County Commissioner Jan Angel said if the plans are invalidated again, she is prepared to take the matter to court.

COMMENTS

Posted by larrycroix on March 11, 2008 at 6:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We have a plan. I wonder what it is?

Posted by drbundle on March 11, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree. You might want to let us in on the details, like, when, where, and most important, how much is this going to cost me?

Posted by jrhamre on March 11, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gorst???????? I thought that they already tried to incorperate into Bremerton and it was rejected? Isn't it kind of foolish and expensive to tie a line all the way to the sewage plant at a high price when updating and repairing the few homes that are there that are at fault more resonable and cost effective? When was the last time a person could build in Gorst?? This sounds like another one of those political means to more revenue for the city at the cost of the people.

Posted by Jason1 on March 11, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Forget expansion. Let those who wish to move here use existing homes or move into the vacant waterfront condo's.

Posted by Rebel on March 11, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GMA and Smart growth advocates are a funny breed.
The County had a good plan, and it was paid for by the people doing the developing. But it did not meet the GMA standards according the hearings board.
Now the County has to go back and redo the plan for sewers, and it is going to cost the tax payer and they will scream about how much development costs the average homeowner.
If they could get keep their feet out of their mouths long enough, they might actually find time to rework the GMA .

Posted by berry on March 11, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wasn't there an article just last week about the glut of houseing now available in Kitsap county? If existing newly constructed houses can't be filled, why are they approving a plan to build even more? I am all for growth, but if this increases taxes yet again, maybe it is time to take a hard look at what is already available and find out why home/land prices/value are so over-inflated here in Kitsap.

Posted by spock4354 on March 11, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And in typical Democratic style: "County Commissioner Jan Angel said if the plans are invalidated again, she is prepared to take the matter to court."
Maybe they are invalidated because they SUCK! Get a clue Jan, it's usually cheaper to fix something that already exists than to build new.


Posted by familien1 on March 11, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"...County Commissioner Jan Angel said if the plans are invalidated again, she is prepared to take the matter to court...."
Who can the taxpayers take to court upon learning of a tax supported dog park in PO costing $328,000. tax dollars to benefit a couple dogs and their owners?
That any part of the Howe Farm prime crop land would be used for a frivolous dog park for a select few dog owners marks the importance of electing officials who work for the benefit of the majority of tax payers...not a select few.
Our commissioners are elected to look after the interests of their county AND GET VALUE FOR THE TAXPAYER DOLLAR..to benefit the most people.
Most folks would think dog clubs would take take of dog issues...and outrageous to think a county commissioner would arbitrarily hand tax payer dollars for a off lead dog park only a few dog owners would ever use.
The insult to injury is picking prime crop land from a donated farm.
Why don't our elected officials - the ones sworn to work toward the greater good - have to justify their decisions?
Do they become so puffed with imagined self importance, nothing else matters?
I don't know.
Do you?
This post is on topic as it calls into question the ability of our elected officials to make sound decisions for the greater good.
In my opinion... Sharon O'Hara

Posted by Cean on March 11, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Spock 4354 said, "And in typical Democratic style: "County Commissioner Jan Angel said..."
Spock, try to keep the two parties straight. Angel is a REPUBLICAN (and clueless, IMHBACO.)

Posted by spock4354 on March 11, 2008 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cean, Democratic, as in our form of government...the vote doesn't go your way...take it to court. This seems to be the way of doing business in government lately, not just in Washington but nationwide.
Sorry if you were confused by my comment. I don't bag on political parties.

(c) http://kitsapsun.com/news/2008/mar/10/commissioners-approve-revised-sewer-plan/

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